Dear Explorer,
We are not told how long this mission trip lasted, but only what happened when they returned.
Read Luke 10:17-24
How would you characterize the mood when they returned?
Luke 10:18 almost sounds like Jesus is saying, “I told you so! I told you amazing things would happen!”
What did Jesus tell them that should give us even more joy? (Luke 10:20)
We should rejoice that our names are written in Heaven. What does that mean?
When we invite Jesus into our God-shaped vacuum, several things happen:
(1) The Holy Spirit comes into our core and begins giving instructions to SELF.
(2) Jesus forgives us of all our sins (we'll talk more about this later).
(3) and our names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.
Jesus mentions this Book of Life here, and John writes about it in Revelation 13:1-8 which talks about those NOT written in the Lamb's Book of Life and in Revelation 21:9-27 which talks about those who ARE written in the Lamb's Book of Life.
Jesus also was filled with joy that God had worked through these volunteers.
What do you think Jesus is referring to in Luke 10:23-24? (Look at John 7:31 if you need a hint).